Hi everyone, this is the regular Thursday posting to let you know what is coming up in the near future.

Apologies

Sorry this is a short blog, I am writing it 4 days into a week of instructing, over 60 flights and over 10 hours of flying on a reasonable week. I encourage all of our instructors to book themselves to help out on a course week, it is the most enjoyable refresher you can have.

Winch

The Skylaunch main winch is back on site….shiny new engine installed.

Tomorrow is scheduled for the set up of the gearbox and transmission then we will be operational

Web cam overheating

The computer that processes the data from the weather station and serves the pictures up to the web is overheating so we have had to remove it while we attempt a repair. A replacement is the last resort as it runs a particular software configuration.

Calendar

We are now able to show the events that are planned during the year. This is a less detailed view than the rota but extends further. We are working on extending it to a 2 year horizon so you can plan your holidays around gliding. We are also seeking ways to increase its detail but in the meantime please have a look and, if you like you can link it to your own electronic calendar.

Their annual race takes place this weekend, we are co ordinating with them and it should not impact on our operation. This weekend will be very busy, come along and see how the competition is organised and have a flight whilst they are busy soaring away on task.

Rock Polishers

We are hosting the above this weekend

Prospective Members Weekend – 4th-6th May

We are inviting local folks who are interested in joining our wonderful club, to join us for a mini tour of the club so they can see everything the club has to offer. We are not guaranteeing them a flight, but if there’s availability then we may choose to offer that. If you’re around that weekend, and can lend a hand for half an hour, it would be much appreciated. Please can you let Sarah or James know that you are going to be there so they can guarantee guides for the prospects.

We still have spaces on the aim higher course, please call the office if you would like to attend.

Last year’s Aim Higher courses precipitated our busiest XC season at the Mynd with a best ever 79 flights totalling 14500km recorded on the club ladder, SIX Silver Distances during the season, and Dominic flying the first ever 500km FAI triangle in Wales (an achievement recognised by the BGA with an award at last week’s BGA annual conference).

This year we are running the full five day course from 7 – 11 May.

Aim Higher lead, Kevin Atkinson, will once again be taking the reins, with informative, entertaining and thought provoking briefings in the mornings, lots of opportunities for XC flying, both solo and dual, as soon as it gets soarable, and debriefs once the hangar doors have closed!

As last year, the charge will be a nominal £10 per person per day to cover expenses, with flying at normal club rates.

Build on your achievements in 2017; aim to take your flying to new heights in 2018; kick start your season with a group of like-minded pilots and get yourself booked in today by phoning or emailing the office – Aim Higher!

Marketing

We have lots of leaflets at the club, if you see a visitor of any description please can you encourage them to take the “your gliding journey” one, or several if they are staying at a B and B.